Great Awakening Tour City #14 Maui, Hawaii
I went out soul-winning today. At first I was really discouraged because a lot of people rejected the Gospel. Outside of a gas staion, there was a girl about 20 years old. I read the script to her and she accepted Jesus into her heart. She was sitting in her car while I ministered to her. After I was done, she got out of her car and hugged me. It was awesome. I really felt like she meant it. It really touched my heart. My soul-goal was seven; I brought nine to the Lord. This was my first time soul-winning and I am 15 years old.

Juli D
Not known Hawaii United States

Rodney Howard Browne explains that even in human relations, you can fail if you do not work on the relationship and if you leave everything up to the other person.

Great Awakening Tour City #14 Maui, Hawaii
16 years old Went soul winning with his mom–thanked her for making him do this after leading two people to the Lord–while in the elevator he invited one to play basketball @ church on Sunday!!!

Nick W
none given Hawaii United States

Great Awakening Tour City #14 Maui, Hawaii
From Alaske Saved 7 months–led 3 people to the Lord today–one of the people he led to the Lord started walking away–Joe told the man his testimony about how God had changed his life and the man then gave his life to the Lord. Joe was here for the prophetic conference last week–stayed for the Great Awakening meetings this week

Joe Ward

none given Hawaii United States

Great Awakening Tour City #14 Maui, Hawaii
Walked with lady to laundry room & kept reading script to her-after leading her to the Lord she said she just lost a good friend 2 days ago–she died in her sleep–lady was reassured w/her eternity

Jenette Z
Maui Hawaii United States

Great Awakening Tour City #20 North Miami Beach, Florida

A young man about eighteen years old was walking on crutches and we stopped him, and gave him the script and after he received Jesus we prayed for his healing after we prayed for his healing. After we praying we asked him to walk without his crutch. One at a time he gave me them to us and walked about the length of a block. He said it was the first time he walked without crutches in his tribe.

Katie C
N/A Florida United States

Great Awakening Tour City #20 North Miami Beach, Florida

1st time doing witnessing – one witnesser at first – was afraid – she prayed for the Holy Spirit to brake fear. He led 4 people to the Lord. One man she saw ataculy phisicaly contanance changed. He looked peaceful.

Yvette R
N/A Florida United States

There were many Jews in the Early Church, who had received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Of course, all Jews were circumcised at birth, but Gentiles were not. Some of the more legalistic Jews – the Judaizers – insisted that only Jews could become Christians and so any Gentile wishing to be saved must first also be circumcised and become a Jew. Even today there are Christians who try to return to Jewish traditions, believing that you are not fully a Christian without it. This is simply not true. The Judaizers accused Paul of preaching a false gospel, but they were the ones preaching a false gospel. Paul calls these men “false brethren”.  The good thing was that they had a high regard for the Law and the Scriptures and God’s choice of the Jews as His chosen people. Their concern was that His commands may be overlooked or broken. However, they proceeded to add their own human traditions and standards to God’s Law and they also ignored the fact that God’s promises are to all nations!

A religious spirit is always judgmental and feels compelled to stuff everyone into the same mold. Because these men were perverting the gospel, Paul did not give them an opportunity to air their views. They were not interested in the truth – all they wanted to do was argue – but Paul refused to be dragged into a fight. Paul had been even more legalistic than they and had been set free and brought into the liberty of salvation through Jesus Christ. He knew all their opinions and he knew they were wrong. There was nothing else to discuss.

The Judaizers accused Paul of perverting the truth, but he had received his message from Christ Himself. Galatians 1:10-12 (KJV) says, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

“The Judaizers said that Paul was a traitor to the Jewish faith, but he had been more advanced in Judaism than most of his contemporaries and more zealous for the traditions of his fathers’ than any of them, until his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road. For the first time, Paul experienced God’s grace and was completely set free. The change was so great that God even changed his name! He was now as zealous for the Gospel as he previously was for the Law – yet with no malice!” (Galatians 1:13-17)

“The Judaizers said Paul compromised and preached a watered down message to the Gentiles, but he had met privately with the other apostles and they, themselves, had declared that the message Paul preached was indeed the true Gospel. Not that he needed their approval because he had God’s approval, but out of courtesy, he met with them. In speaking to Paul, the apostles realized that God had indeed called him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles and gave him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. They only asked one thing of him: that he would remember the poor, which he was already eager to do.”
(Galatians 2:6-10)

The Judaizers said Paul was disregarding the Law of Moses; however, all he did was to put the law in its proper place. The Law was given to show people where they have sinned and it points them to their need for a Savior – Jesus Christ.

“What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Galatians 3:19-29 NKJV

If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise!

Rodney Howard Browne teaches on the Crowne Of Life

Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 AMPAnd I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me [harass and trouble and molest Me]? 8 And I replied, Who are You, Lord? And He said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarene, Whom you are persecuting.

III. How should you respond?
•    Bless your enemies.
•    Romans 12:14 AMP – Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them.
•    Resist the urge to fight back – let God fight your battles.
•    Romans 12:19 AMP – Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.
•    Hebrews 10:30 AMP – For we know Him Who said, Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the meting out of full justice rest with Me]; I will repay [I will exact the compensation], says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge and determine and solve and settle the cause and the cases of His people.Rodney Howard Browne discusses the Persecuted Church

I. The Crown of Life
•    The Crown of Life is also known as the Martyr’s Crown
•    This crown is promised to those who are faithful unto death.
•    Revelation 2:10 AMP – Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. [Dismiss your dread and your fears!] Behold, the devil is indeed about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and proved and critically appraised, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it], and I will give you the crown of life.
•    It is also promised to those who live prepared to die for their witness.
•    Revelation 3:11-12 AMP – I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one may rob you and deprive you of your crown. 12 He who overcomes (is victorious), I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God; he shall never be put out of it or go out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends from My God out of heaven, and My own new name.

II. The Crown of Life will be given to those who are persecuted for their faith and yet endure.
•    Persecution comes simply because we bear His Name.
•    John 15:20-23 AMP – Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours. 21 But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates Me also hates My Father.
•    Persecution is the suffering Jesus talks about that His people would go through – not sickness or disease.
•    Philippians 1:29 NKJV – For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
•    You will be persecuted for righteousness and living a godly life.
•    2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV – Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
•    Matthew 5:10-12 NKJV – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
•    If you are completely submitted and obedient to the Lord and doing His work, and they persecute you, it is as if they are persecuting Jesus, Himself.
•    Acts 22:7-8 AMP -

IV. The Persecuted Church.
•    Remember – you are not alone.
•    1 Peter 5:8-10 NKJV – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
•    Those who have gone before us suffered so that we could receive the Truth.
•    Hebrews 11:35-38 AMP – [Some] women received again their dead by a resurrection. Others were tortured to death with clubs, refusing to accept release [offered on the terms of denying their faith], so that they might be resurrected to a better life. 36 Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death; they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith]; they were sawn asunder; they were slaughtered by the sword; [while they were alive] they had to go about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated — 38 [Men] of whom the world was not worthy — roaming over the desolate places and the mountains, and [living] in caves and caverns and holes of the earth.
•    The genuineness of your faith will be tested.
•    1 Peter 1:5-7 AMP – Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God’s power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. 6 [You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.
•    We are counted worthy of the kingdom of God when we endure persecution and tribulations with patience and faith.
•    2 Thessalonians 1:3-12 NKJV – We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rodney Howard Browne encourages us to never give up.

V. Don’t ever give up!
•    Philippians 1:21 NKJV – For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
•    Struck down but not out.
•    2 Corinthians 4:7-11 AMP – However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. 8 We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; 9 We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed; 10 Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies. 11 For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.
•    Who shall separate us from Christ or His love?
•    Romans 8:35-39 AMP – Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? 36 Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, 39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
•    We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:15 AMP

1. Rodney Howard Browne teaches that the reason most people fail in their life is because they do not understand authority, they do not recognize legitimate authority and they do not make a proper response to authority.

God is Supreme authority—He created everything and is over everything. Every created thing must bow to Him.

Isaiah 45:23

Romans 14:11

Philippians 2:10-11

God created man in His image and gave them authority over the earth.

Genesis 1:27-28 AMP

The devil is an illegitimate authority. He stole man’s authority from Adam and Eve.

Even though he took man’s authority by deception, God still could not just snatch it back from him. Jesus took it back on behalf of man. The devil never would have crucified Jesus if he had known God’s plan to take back man’s authority and to restore man once again into right-standing with God.

1 Corinthians 2:8

God uses His authority for GOOD! God is LOVE, His primary motivation is MERCY and His desire is to BLESS!

2. If you want to succeed in every area of your life, you must submit to legitimate authority. By doing so, illegitimate authority can have no place in your life.

You must personally submit your life to the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

James 4:7 KJV—Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Do not give the devil any place in your life.

Recognize all authorities that God has placed in the earth. Romans 13:1-10

Make a decision to walk in the love of God toward all men at all times.  That includes—and is especially applicable to—your own family.

3. Husbands and fathers—God has set you in place as the head of your home. You not only have authority, but you have responsibility.

Make the decision that Joshua made: as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

You cannot force your family into serving God—you must influence them in.

Set the example of a godly man, who honors the Lord and is submitted to Him in all things.

According to God’s plan, you should be the most unselfish person in your house—not the most selfish—as is often the case.

You are the head of the house—not the dictator and not the wimp!

Recognize that your wife is not as tough as you are and live considerately with her so your prayers will be answered.

1 Peter 3:7

Do not be like a bull in a china shop with your children, but do not abdicate your responsibilities to raise them right either.

Don’t irritate and provoke them—raise them tenderly. Correct them and teach them. Ephesians 6:4

Do not break their spirit. Colossians 3:21

You are the protector or your family. Protect your wife and children from anything that could harm them physically, mentally or spiritually.

Protect them from corrupting influences.

You are there to bless your house and to be a blessing to them.

4. Wives and mothers—God has given you your place, under the headship of your husband, to have authority over your household.

Submit to your husband in the fear of the Lord. Submission is not just allowing someone to walk all over you against your will. Do not make your husband force submission on you by rebellion or indifference.

Don’t be a bucking bronco or a whipped puppy. You must make the decision for yourself. Decide to submit to your husband—in faith—out of respect to God’s Word.

Submit without giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you. 1 Peter 3:6

God has given you a pattern in Proverbs 31:10-31

Your husband should be able to confidently trust you, because you only do him good as long as there is life within you. Proverbs 31:11-12

Be secure in the Lord; prepare for the future in faith; speak kindly; take care of your family, while keeping your nose out of everyone else’s. Proverbs 31:25-27

5. Children (of all ages) respect the authority of parents that God has placed in you life. They are there for your good—not your harm. God will hold them responsible for your care and well being.

Obey your parents in the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-3 AMP—Children obey your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right. 2 Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother–this is the first commandment with a promise–3 That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.

Colossians 3:20 AMP—Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

NB Every one of us will give our own account to God for our own thoughts, words and actions. Whether we are in authority or under authority, let us each one honor the Lord in our choices. In doing so, we will fulfill God’s purpose for our lives and we will leave a trail of blessing and not a trail of devastation in our wake!